The Colorado Wood Design Symposium is a FREE multi-faceted, day-long educational event on the use of wood in non-residential and multi-family buildings.

Attendees can earn up to 5 AIA/CES HSW LUs or PDH credits (one per attended seminar). AIA/CES forms and professional development certificates will be available on site.

Code Compliant Fire Resistance Design for Wood Construction

Michelle Kam-Biron, PE, SE, SECB, American Wood Council

Determining the proper code application for fire resistant wood frame assemblies and exposed wood structural members can be challenging and is often further complicated with increases in a project’s size and scale. In a building environment where the ability to maximize height and area is key to cost effectiveness, designers must understand the gamut of fire protection considerations applicable to wood structures. This presentation will include code requirements, compliance options and nuances related to assembly selection for required fire resistance-rated floor/ceilings and roof/ceilings, interior and exterior walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, and fire walls. Topics will also include distinctions between fire-resistive elements for separation vs. type of construction.

Michelle Kam-Biron is a California licensed structural engineer and Senior Director of Education for the American Wood Council (AWC) where she oversees and develops continuing educational resources related to structural wood for architects, engineers, and code officials. She has authored several articles and white papers related to wood construction and has over 20 years of experience managing, designing and plan reviewing a wide range of projects of various structural materials. Ms. Kam-Biron graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a BS in Architectural Engineering, is a certified Earthquake Disaster Assessment volunteer and a member of the International Code Council. She also volunteers her time on the NCSEA Basic Wood Education and CALBO Structural Safety Committees, is Chair of ASCE-SEI Wood Education Committee, SEAOC Director and a SEAOSC Past-President.